Top Cape Leaguers in CWS Final

After nearly three weeks of NCAA tournament action, it’s down to Virginia and Vanderbilt. When the teams face off Monday evening at 8:00 p.m., their rosters will feature a combined 26 players with Cape League affiliations. We’ve already gone through what those athletes — as well as the players from the other teams in the College World Series – did leading up to the CWS, but if you need a refresher click here for Virginia and here for Vanderbilt.

With 26 total Cape Leaguers on their rosters, players with CCBL ties had a clear impact during the three game series that led up to the final. Here’s a closer look at the top five Cape Leaguer performances from each team:

Virginia: It took the Cavaliers just three games — including one 15-inning contest against TCU — to make its way to the final. Virginia, which is now 49-20 on the season, is making its first ever appearance in the CWS final.

Leadoff hitter and junior Branden Cogswell (Harwich ’13) went 4-for-10 with four walks and a RBI during the team’s last three games.

Junior righty Nick Howard (Harwich ’13) put together five shutout innings of relief for the Cavaliers during the team’s extra-inning win over Texas Christian University and its second game against Ole Miss. Howard gave up a total of two hits and struck out seven during his two appearances.

Sophomore southpaw Brandon Waddell (Hyannis ’14) limited TCU to two runs, one of which was earned, on six hits and five strikeouts over seven innings on the mound.

Sophomore lefty Nathan Kirby (Orleans ’14) gave up just one run on one hit with three walks and four strikeouts over seven innings during Virginia’s 2-1 win over Ole Miss.

Sophomore righty Josh Sborz (Orleans 2013-14) gave up one unearned run on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts during the Cavaliers second game against Mississippi.

Vanderbilt: After falling to Texas in the third game of the series, the Commodores defeated the Longhorns 4-3 to advance to the final. Vanderbilt, which made its only other appearance in the College World Series in 2011, is now 52-14 heading into the final.

Junior righty Adam Ravenelle held Louisville scoreless during his 2 1/3 innings of work. Ravenelle gave up one hit and struck out two to close out the game that Vanderbilt went on to win 5-3.

Sophomore OF and 2013 CCBL All Star Rhett Wiseman (Cotuit 2013-14) has gone 6-for-11 with a RBI and two runs scored for the Commodores.

Freshman right-hander Hayden Stone (Orleans ’14) gave up just one run on three hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of relief during Vanderbilt’s 4-3 win over Texas.

Sophomore leadoff hitter Dansby Swanson (Orleans ’14) went 7-for-19 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

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Meredith Perri

Cape Cod Times sports intern and recent Boston University graduate. Follow on Twitter @MeredithPerri Read Full